Requires household members of firearm purchasers to receive background check.

This bill (A 987) requires background checks for all handgun and firearm purchasers through licensed dealers in New Jersey, as amended to N.J.S.2C:58-3. It mandates that dealers conduct National Instant Criminal Background Checks (NICB) before any sale or transfer, with specific exemptions for immediate family members, law enforcement, and collectors (as defined in federal law). The bill does not require background checks for household members of purchasers; it applies solely to the individual purchasing the firearm. Dealers must submit check results to state police, maintain non-public records, and may charge a fee (up to $70 for rifles/shotguns). The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 13, 2026).